The Log of the Asiatic Fleet. In the early 1900's America maintained a fleet of river boats on the Yangtzee and in China coastal ports. The movie "Sand Pebbles" with Steve McQueen is a classic portrayal. The entire fleet was known as the Asiatic Fleet. Veterans of the later time maintain an association served by a newsletter and by this log. A Facebook group and other links below assist with communications.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Shore Leave for the Fleet

All Ashore That's Going Ashore! Charlie Ankerberg and Gene Schindler have passed muster and are shoving off for the beach. The Blackhawk and a nest of four pipers is in the background. Charlie and Gene served in USS Paul Jones which with three other "cans" made the very first surface attack on an enemy of the United States since the Spanish American War at Balikpappan. They also participated in the Battle of The Java Sea. Charlie was, at the time, a signalman and had a very good view of the battle as it unfolded - with devastating results to the combined ABDA fleet. Out of fuel and ammunition, the "cans" were ordered to return to base for fuel and eventually took an Eastward route around Java, thereby escaping the fate of so many of the Asiatic and ABDA ships.